ESPN acquires Arena Football rights for 2014

The Arena Football League and ESPN have agreed to a multi-year deal for broadcasting rights beginning with the 2014 season, the league announced on Tuesday in a press release.

ESPN has previously broadcast AFL games, including the first ArenaBowl in 1987, and will continue in March when the 2014 AFL season begins.

“ESPN has a long history of working with the Arena Football League and this new agreement is a great opportunity to showcase the AFL as part of our year-round commitment to football,” said Matthew Volk, ESPN director, programming and acquisitions.

The deal grants ESPN rights to at least 10 regular season and postseason games on its television networks, including one conference championship game and ArenaBowl XXVII. At least 75 more AFL games will be available on the Internet on ESPN3.

The 2014 AFL season is scheduled to kickoff on March 14 when the New Orleans Voodoo travel to face the Tampa Bay Storm.

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